The Importance of Lung Care Screening and Prevention

According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer accounts for a fifth of all cancer deaths in the United States. However, lung care screening and prevention methods can help detect, diagnose, and treat lung cancer before it spreads. Learn more about lung cancer prevention below, including when and how often you should be screened. 

Why is Lung Cancer Screening Important? 

Lung cancer screening, like any other cancer screening method, helps detect cancerous cells early on so that treatment can begin as soon as possible. Early detection of lung cancer can increase your chances of surviving another five years by 63%, according to the American Lung Association. Screening for lung cancer doesn’t require an invasive procedure or much time at all. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual lung care screenings for adults aged 50 to 80. Those who have a history of smoking, have quit within the last 15 years, or still smoke are encouraged to screen annually. A low-dose CT (LDCT) scan or low-dose computed tomography helps detect lung cancer. 

The LDCT scan doesn’t take much time or require any special preparations beyond what you’d typically do for an X-ray. To begin the scan, you lie flat on a table while the machine X-rays your body. Once the scan is complete, your doctor will review the results. 

Lung Cancer Screening Results 

Lung care screening can help seniors and their family members address the possibility of lung cancer. Although the process doesn’t require a lot of preparation, it can still be scary to discuss your results. Below are a few of the most common types of lung care screening results and what they mean: 

• Incomplete: LDCT scans may be incomplete if you have a lung infection or need another scan to contextualize the first one. 

• Negative: This is the result most people are looking for, which indicates that you don’t have lung cancer.

• Benign or probably benign: A benign or probably benign scan means that any areas that were of concern are no longer a high priority because they’ve been deemed harmless. 

• Suspicious, very suspicious, or significant: Doctors who have found something of concern will flag the results with one of these descriptors based on their diagnosis of your scans, and your case will likely require a follow-up. 

If your results are abnormal, doctors may request that you come back for another scan in three to six months. Regardless of your results, it’s best to discuss your options with your physician and loop your family members into the conversation. Establishing advanced directives and a living will put your wishes in black and white for family members who may struggle with the outcome of your lung cancer screening.

Right at Home Portland: Supporting Senior Health

Cancer can attack at any age, but detecting it early can help increase your chances of survival. Set up a lung cancer screening appointment today to contribute to your overall health, and lean on the Right at Home care staff to help you improve your quality of life. If you’d like to learn more about our senior home care services, contact us to schedule a free consultation.